Sportbike West Oliver, BC

[Fast Willy]

Sportbike West in Oliver was great - 400 crazed young sportbikers and me, 57 years old on a 03 Lemans.

 

First up were BMW test rides. I rode the R1200S Boxer twin and the K1200S. The new Boxer has a great suspension(ohlins), felt very confident in the corners. The motor has a big top end but didn't seem to have the bottom end of my Guzzi. The brake lever feels weird at low speeds but the electronic brakes work great.

The demo rides were at a quick pace - kudos to BMW Canada. The K was very fast, huge power. Frankly though I thought the Boxer was more fun to ride - good bike with character.

 

After the ride I had my Guzzi suspension setup by Rod at RMR Suspension out of Abbotsford to prepare for the next mornings ride. I had new Pirelli Stradas on my Guzzi. My motor has Power Commander, factory ti cans, Stucchi X-pipe, BMC filter.

 

There I was with a dozen hot sportbikes ready to ride the fabulous twisties around Oliver - could my Guzzi keep up? I was third in line with a new FZ1 in the lead. After the first fast section, there I was right on the tail of the leaders. The leader said to me and fellow in front of me - I don't have to worry about you guys keeping up. We had left many of the sportbikes including GXR1000's behind. I was pleasantly surpised at how well the Guzzi was handling. The Pirellis were sticking like glue and I never had a bobble in the corners and could keep a tight line. The torque of the Guzzi was getting me out of the corners quick.

 

Admitly I was probably using more engine than the others but the sweet sound of the Guzzi engine was echoing through the hills. They said I and an older Ducati provided the sound track for the ride.

The Guzzi did me proud. A sweet ride!

[helicopterjim R.I.P.]

You should tell us about these events before they happen so we can join in.

[Fast Willy]

You should tell us about these events before they happen so we can join in.

Will do. I understand the possiblity next year for Sportbike West is a question mark as the police were not too amused about the wheelies and stoppies down the main street that were apparently equal to the stunt show.

 

I was very impressed with the quality of the back roads around Oliver. Maybe we will have to have a Guzzi or big twin get together not noticeable by the locals.

 

Cheers.

[Steve G.]

I was at one of the first Sport bike West events years ago at it's previous location. Potentially a world class event, again marred by another special interest group, this one being stunt squids. If it isn't squids, it's Harley equipped chopper whoppers.

Those kind of rides of which you talk about, the group rides, always bring to lite the fact that it's most often the rider rather than the bike that negotiate a corner in the most effecient manner.

Ciao, Steve G.